Challenger boys, Crusader girls win district titles

GLIDE — Sarah Bennion rose to the occasion as she has done in the past at the Class 3A Special District 1 track and field regional championships Saturday.

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Posted May. 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Posted May. 13, 2012 at 12:01 AM

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GLIDE — Sarah Bennion rose to the occasion as she has done in the past at the Class 3A Special District 1 track and field regional championships Saturday.

The talented St. Mary's senior matched her performance from a year ago by winning three individual events and running a leg on a victorious relay team to help the three-time defending state champion Crusader girls repeat as district champions.

St. Mary's and Medford rival Cascade Christian went toe-to-toe for the boys and girls team titles. And it came out a draw.

The Challenger boys unseated the Crusaders as district champs by a mere half of a point — 1141/2-114. In girls, St. Mary's came out on top 157-150, but the Challengers made it closer than expected.

"It's only a rivalry because we're fighting for the same spot," said Cascade Christian coach Chris George. "But it's no different than any other school. It just comes down to us and them more times than not."

Bennion registered individual wins in the 800, 1,500 and 300 hurdles and was part of the winning 4x400 relay. She came in with the best 3A state time in the 800 and second best in the 1,500 and 300 hurdles. Bennion ran under her best marks in all three events but it was design to preserve her energy.

"She had a fantastic day, true to her form," said George. "She's just a fantastic competitor. It's always fun to watch her run."

St. Mary's other girls victories came from Linnea Fong in the pole vault (10-2) and the aforementioned long relay team, which also had Rachel Bennion, Erika Peterson and Emily Alvarez running.

The Challengers' only individual victory on the second day came from shot putter Jo-Anne Jesse, who also won the javelin on Friday.

The Cascade girls posted a victory in the 4x100 relay with a team of Gracie Bevan, Brittany Brown, Megan Killam, Mallory Mann.

Alli Ehrhardt registered the only victory for Rogue River with a winning effort of 34-1 in the triple jump.

In boys, the Challengers were boosted by a double win from senior Hudson Eustace (800 and 1,500). Eustace broke the two minute barrier for the first time and set a 3A state best time of 1 minute, 59.25 seconds in the 800.

Brandon Williams took first in the 100 and second in the 200 for the Challengers, who qualified just three boys for state — Eustace, Williams and triple jump winner Levi Girardot.

"We had a lot of different guys stepping up," said George. "We won not just because of the first-place finishes but an overwhelming domination of third, fourth and fifth places."

St. Mary's was led by Harrison Leep, with victories in the 200 and 400 and as part of the winning 4x100 and 4x400 relays.

Noah Kotler won the 300 hurdles, finished second in the 400 and was also a member of both relays for the Crusaders.

Rogue River received a winning performance from Seth Gretz in the 110 hurdles.

The top two finishers in each event and others that met the state standard advance to the Class 3A state meet May 18-19 at Western Oregon University.

SWC DISTRICT — At Roseburg, Sheldon's Jessica Laurie claimed the singles championship, but South Eugene players took second and third in both the singles and doubles brackets to help the Axemen claim the Southwest Conference district title at the Roseburg Tennis Club.

South Eugene finished with 38 points to grab the team title, while runner-up Sheldon earned 32 points.

South Medford's Caroline Eledge won the consolation championship with a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Cheyanne Woodrow of Roseburg, and North Medford's Whitney Cordes and Carson Case won the consolation doubles championship.